After many months of researching deeds, city maps, and other documents, we found Sunnyside. In the end, it was through networking that we found most of our answers. Sunnyside Farm was a trotting horse stock farm owned by Charles Horace Nelson. He owned the farm from 1882 until his death in 1915. Today the land where a fine residence with three horse barns once stood is located between Nelson Street and Carver Street off Kennedy Memorial Drive (formerly the Oakland R0ad) in Waterville, Maine. Bernie Butler, who was born on Sawyer Street in the 1930's, has provided us with key information. His cousin, Bill Flagg, actually lived in an apartment in the residence. In the 1930s into the 1940s, the property was owned by Fred Hallett. According to Bill, the property was known to be the Nelson Farm. To the right of the residence was a large barn. As a child, Bill was told that the barn was once a large stable for horses. The barn was converted into a garage.
Sunnyside Farm was the home of the champion trotting stallion, Nelson, the last horse to hold the world high wheel trotting record. This famous horse was named to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in 1994. Nelson is the only Maine bred/trained horse to earn such high distinction. Nelson's fastest time was 2.09 which he trotted at Rigby Park in South Portland, Maine. Image of Hod Nelson courtesy of Neplains, Inc.
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